Tottenham Hotspur legend Robbie Keane has been appointed manager of Hungarian side Ferencvaros.
The 44-year-old, who scored 122 goals for Tottenham in all competitions during two separate spells at the club, has previous coaching experience after spending a year in charge of Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Keane left the club in June after winning a league and cup double, having spent time acting as assistant to Middlesbrough and the Republic of Ireland. The prolific former striker also worked with Sam Allardyce at Leeds United when he tried to help the Whites avoid relegation two seasons ago.
Ferencvaros have often competed in the Champions League as they are the dominant force in Hungarian football. They have won their domestic league title for the past six years, winning the crown 35 times in total since their first success in 1903. They were previously coached by former AZ manager Pascal Jansen, but he left the club in New Year’s Eve after six months. in charge
Keane’s managerial adventure follows a highly successful playing career in England. Signed by Wolves at the age of 16, he scored twice on his first-team debut and soon after was a regular starter for the Republic of Ireland.
Spells at Coventry, Inter and Leeds followed before Keane’s career took off Tottenham in 2002. He finished as the club’s top scorer in his first season, scoring 13 goals, and went one better the following year despite the Lilywhites’ struggles in the Premier League.
The increased competition for places did not faze Keane, who played a major role in Tottenham’s development into top four contenders alongside Dimitar Berbatov. His regular goals eventually earned him a move Liverpool in 2008 but rejoined Tottenham initially on loan in January before securing a permanent return.
With his Premier League His career winding down as he turned 30, Keane found a new lease on life in the MLS with LA Galaxy. Signed as a designated player alongside David Beckham and Landon Donovan, Keane rediscovered his goalscoring touch and enjoyed five highly successful years in Los Angeles, netting 83 times in the league and a further 21 times in the competition of glass
He retired in 2018 after a short stint in India, two years after ending an illustrious international career with the Republic of Ireland that saw him score 68 goals in 146 appearances.
